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People across Britain marked the anniversary of George Floyd\u2019s death with anti-racism demonstrations (Picture: Rex\/PA)Thousands of people across the UK took part in events to mark the one-year anniversary since George Floyd was murdered by a white police officer in the USA.
\nThe campaign group Stand Up To Racism called on Brits to take the knee on Tuesday, 12 months after the black American\u2019s death. Mr Floyd\u2019s killing sparked a backlash against racism and police brutality, as black lives matter protests erupted across the globe.
\nEvening vigils and gatherings were planned in dozens of cities across the UK, including London, Edinburgh, Bristol, Birmingham and Manchester.
\nIn Scotland, a Black Lives Matter event at the Scottish Parliament saw people kneeling, laying flowers and leaving messages.
\nMeanwhile, in Wales, a poem written in tribute to Mr Floyd by Welsh-Zimbabwean Kel Matsena is being projected on a museum in Swansea.
\nStand Up to Racism said: \u2018We want to show that the overwhelming majority want to end racism and discrimination\u2019.
\nIt is joining with the Trade Union Congress in a week of action to commemorate Mr Floyd\u2019s death, that saw people take the knee in Brixton\u2019s Windrush Square on Tuesday.<\/p>\n
People take the knee and make the Black Power salute in Windrush Square, Brixton (Picture: Shutterstock)<\/p>\n
Anti-racism campaigners also gathered outside the Scottish Parliament on Tuesday (Picture: Getty Images Europe)<\/p>\n
People knelt and prayed at George Floyd Memorial Square in Minneapolis, Minnesota (Picture: AFP)<\/p>\n
Some found the event in Edinburgh emotional (Picture: Getty Images)Vineeth Ravindran, an NHS cardio-respiratory physiotherapist, organised the taking of the knee with his colleagues at Borders General Hospital in Melrose, Scotland.
\nHe said: \u2018It was very relevant for all of us to reflect upon George\u2019s death today to stand up against racism and embrace cohesive community spirit to reduce health inequalities.\u2019
\nIn Chesterfield, James Eaden joined around 50 people at Rykneld Square in an action which he said was an \u2018important part\u2019 of continuing the message of the BLM movement.
\n\u2018Black Lives Matter has to be a \u201cmovement and not just a moment\u201d,\u2019 Mr Eaden said.
\n\u2018We have made important strides in taking an anti-racist message into our community\u2026 but racism continues.\u2019<\/p>\n
George Floyd\u2019s murder in Minneapolis, Minnesota,a year ago sparked a global backlash against racism (Picture: AFP)<\/p>\n
Demonstrators made their feelings known in Brixton (Picture: Shutterstock)<\/p>\n
The TUC and Stand Up To Racism are holding a week of action to commemorate Mr Floyd\u2019s death one year on (Picture: PA)In the USA, one person has been shot amid reports of gunfire at George Floyd Square as countless people marked the anniversary across the country.
\nWhite police officer Derek Chauvin \u2013 who knelt on 46-year-old Mr Floyd\u2019s neck for more than 9 minutes \u2013 was found guilty of his murder in April.
\nThe Minneapolis intersection where Floyd pleaded for his life was disrupted by gunfire on Tuesday \u2013 hours before it was to be the site of a family-friendly street festival marking the anniversary of his death at the hands of police.
\nPolice later said one person later appeared at a nearby hospital with a gunshot wound, but it wasn\u2019t immediately clear if that person was hurt in the incident near the intersection.
\nThe square was being transformed into an outdoor festival on the anniversary of his death, with food, children\u2019s activities and a long list of musical performers.<\/p>\n
Diversity still get racist comments over Britain’s Got Talent BLM routine eight months on<\/p>\n
\u2018We\u2019re going to be turning mourning into dancing,\u2019 rapper Nur-D tweeted.
\n\u2018We\u2019re going to be celebrating 365 days of strength in the face of injustice.\u2019
\nThe \u2018Rise and Remember George Floyd\u2019 celebration, including a candlelight vigil at 8pm local time on Tuesday, caps several days of marches, rallies and panel discussions about his death and where America is in confronting racial discrimination.
\nMeanwhile, George Floyd\u2019s family visited Washington to mourn with president Joe Biden and pressure Congress to act, with the President promising to sign a police reform bill.
\nMore: Racism<\/p>\n
Back in the UK, Sir Keir Starmer said that eradicating structural racism would be a \u2018defining cause\u2019 for the next Labour government.
\nThe party leader, along with shadow cabinet ministers David Lammy and Marsha De Cordova, promised to continue campaigning to tackle racial injustice and introduce a race equality act.
\nShadow justice secretary Mr Lammy said: \u2018George Floyd looked like me, he could have been me. That\u2019s why his death reverberated around the world. People said: none of us can breathe when we still face the issues of structural racism in our lives every day.
\n\u2018That\u2019s why George Floyd\u2019s death sparked a global movement, from Minneapolis to Manchester to Mile End. Black and white people came together to say Black Lives Matter.\u2019
\nMs De Cordova added that a Labour administration would introduce a curriculum to give young people \u2018a balanced understanding of Britain\u2019s past and how it has shaped society today\u2019.
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\tMORE : George Floyd\u2019s murder \u2018should unite all oppressed people against injustice\u2019<\/p>\n